By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Hindu community in Chatham-Kent came together today to celebrate Ugadi, marking the Telugu New Year with vibrant traditions, delicious food, and joyful festivities. This annual celebration, rich in cultural significance, brought a sense of unity and joy to the local Indian community as they gathered in the area to ring in the new year.
Ugadi, which marks the first day of the Chaitra month in the lunar calendar, is a major festival for Telugu-speaking people in India, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The occasion is seen as a time to celebrate new beginnings, offer prayers for prosperity, and look forward to the year ahead.
In Chatham-Kent, where a growing Indian community has flourished in recent years, the celebration of Ugadi has become a beloved tradition for local families. With several generations now living in the area, the community has embraced Ugadi as a way to connect with their roots while sharing their cultural heritage with the broader community.
Ratnam Kumar, a local business owner in Tilbury, spoke about the significance of Ugadi for his family and the community. Kumar, who owns a small store in Tilbury, has seen the celebration of Ugadi grow in recent years as more people join in the festivities.
“For many of us, Ugadi is not just a religious festival, it’s also a time to connect with family and community,” said Kumar.
“We gather to celebrate our culture, share food, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s beautiful to see how much our community has grown here in Chatham-Kent region, and it’s a joy to witness the younger generations participating in the traditions and learning about their heritage.”
The day began with prayers and religious rituals at the local Hindu temple, where families offered flowers and incense to deities. The temple was filled with the sound of chanting and the scent of incense as devotees celebrated the arrival of the new year. The rituals were followed by the customary offering of “Ugadi Pachadi,” a traditional dish made from a combination of six ingredients that symbolize different emotions — sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, and tangy — representing the diversity of experiences one may face in the year ahead.
For the community in Chatham-Kent, Ugadi isn’t only about religious practices. The festival is also a time for socializing, eating, and enjoying traditional foods. Families and friends gathered at various homes and community halls to share a meal, dance, and enjoy the festivities together. The aroma of rich Indian dishes, such as biryani, samosas, and the famous Ugadi sweets, filled the air as people celebrated in traditional attire.
Shilpa Kurtiwali, a resident of Lighthouse Cove, also shared her experience of celebrating Ugadi in the Chatham-Kent area. For Kurtiwali, who moved to the region several years ago, Ugadi has become an important part of her family’s life.
“We love being able to celebrate Ugadi with our community here,” Kurtiwali said.
“We may be far from our hometowns in India, but it feels amazing to come together and celebrate as one community. The food, the rituals, the joy — it all brings us closer to our roots, and we get to share that with our children. It’s a beautiful way to start the new year.”
While the food and festivities take center stage, Ugadi also serves as a time for reflection. The Telugu community in Chatham-Kent gathers to celebrate their successes over the past year while making hopes and prayers for the future. The theme of renewal and hope is an integral part of the celebrations, where people reflect on challenges faced in the past year and look ahead to better opportunities.
As the celebration continued, the sounds of traditional Telugu music filled the air, and families shared stories and laughter. In the spirit of unity and goodwill, many also donated to local charities, embodying the spirit of giving that is central to the Hindu faith.
For the Indian community in Chatham-Kent, Ugadi is not just a celebration of the Telugu New Year; it’s a testament to the resilience and strength of their cultural heritage. As the community continues to grow and thrive, the celebration of Ugadi has become an important part of their collective identity.
The festivities marked a perfect way to ring in the Telugu New Year, offering both a connection to tradition and a glimpse into the future. It’s clear that Ugadi is more than just a festival — it’s a reflection of the vibrant and growing Indian community in Chatham-Kent, one that celebrates both its past and its future.
As the event concluded, families began making plans for the upcoming year, filled with hope and anticipation for what Ugadi’s teachings of renewal and prosperity will bring.
